Call for Abstracts

**The call for abstracts is now closed**

We are pleased to announce that abstract submission for HR19 is now open.

We encourage everyone – researchers, activists, campaigners, policymakers, people who use drugs, human rights experts, health professionals and sex workers – to submit abstracts on their latest work in drug policy and harm reduction. Proposals can be for oral presentations, workshops, dialogue space and poster sessions.

All are welcome to send in their proposals in English or Portuguese to help HR19 to advance the discussion on best practice in harm reduction. Past submissions have covered innovative harm reduction services, new or ground-breaking research, effective advocacy campaigns, peer-driven programmes and key drug policy discussions or debates.

HR19’s theme, People before Politics, promises to spark lively discussions among the over 1,000 delegates attending from around the world on the importance of placing public health and people’s lives before political ideology.

This theme takes on particular significance in Portugal, which remains at the forefront, globally, of progressive drug policy and harm reduction. While many governments now openly acknowledge the shortcomings of punitive drug laws and benefits of harm reduction, reform in most countries remains far off to the detriment of the health and rights of people who use drugs.

HR19 is a unique opportunity, therefore, for people to share their experiences in the fields of harm reduction and drug policy, strategise and work jointly toward a world where drug laws are rooted in dignity, health and human rights.

Everyone is invited to participate in our four-day programme of presentations, workshops, exhibitions, film screenings, networking events and local site visits.